USO! USO!

USO! USO!

by senior contributor Brendan Kownacki
Photo credit: Brendan Kownacki

“We’re there because they’re there,” USO Chief Executive Officer JD Crouch told Hollywood on the Potomac about the thousands of volunteers around the globe standing by to serve American service members and their families. “It’s really a great expression of what the best of America is all about; Americans giving back to their service members, who are serving for them.”

JD Crouch

To continue their daily celebration and support for U.S. military members, the USO put together one of their legendary USO tour shows, dubbed “The World’s Biggest USO Tour” and this time it was more than just one base or camp or location, this was a world event. Hosted in Washington, DC by actor Adam Devine, the concert was a salute to service members and veterans and their families and featured a mind-blowing performance by country superstars Florida Georgia Line.

Florida Georgia Line

The event was broadcast around the world to Alaska, Kuwait, Japan and beyond to more than 10,000 military members at some 90 watch parties at USO centers. This was a show Bob Hope would have been proud of.

The event was a reminder that the USO has been a staple provider of entertainment to the troops since World War II, but also, it has grown programs to send care packages, doing as much as helping connect soldiers with their families back at home or sometimes as simple a gesture as a hot meal or a welcome home banner at an airport.

“We’re the force behind the forces” said celebrity chef Robert Irvine who has gone on more than 14 USO tours since getting involved. Irvine enjoys cooking with the troops but also exercising with them, talking to them, and helping to keep their spirits high, realizing that wellness comes in many forms.

Adam Devine

Adam Devine kept the jokes flowing and was not afraid to push back at the generals who were taking the stage with him, no matter how many stars they had on their shoulders. The evening then culminated with a roaring concert from Florida Georgia line, a performance that was dynamic and fun for the people in the theater, and for those soldiers and sailors and airmen watching around the globe it was a nice taste of home.

Robert Irvine

Take a look at what JD Crouch and Robert Irvine had to say about why the USO is still important to our military and as good as it has ever been.

 

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